Bamboo
Sasa palmata & Pseudosasa japonica
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Photo © : GBNNSS
Broad leaved and Arrow Bamboo
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
Potential or Known Impacts:
How did it get here?
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App
Methods for Prevention:
Broad leaved and Arrow Bamboo
Description:
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- There are more than 1,400 species, distributed across temperate to tropical regions. They are fast-growing perennials, with heights ranging from 15cm in the smaller species to 40m in larger species.
- Leaves can grow from the stem rings or from leaf-bearing branches. Most bamboo species reproduce through flowering and producing seed once in their lifetime, usually after 12-120 years. They can spread vegetatively, and can form dense monocultures that shade out other plants.
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- Many species of bamboo are found in East and Southeast Asia, and on islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Some species of Arundinaria are native to the southern USA.
- Many species of bamboo have been introduced across the world as ornamental species, and have escaped into the environment. Non-native bamboos are causing issues in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Argentina.
Potential or Known Impacts:
- Bamboo crowds out native plants through vegetative reproduction, rapid growth, and leaves forming a thick suppressing litter layer.
- Some species may be allelopathic, as they may produce chemicals to suppress other plants from germinating or growing further.
- Bamboo may be difficult to control once introduced and established.
How did it get here?
- It may be imported as an ornamental species, which has escaped into the environment if not properly contained.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- Arrow bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica) and broadleaf bamboo (Sasa palmata) have been recorded in Northern Ireland.
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Arrow Bamboo - ©harum.koh Broadleaf bamboo - ©: GBNNSS
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App
Methods for Prevention:
- Report any sightings.
- Do not plant this species – plant native species instead.
- Do not take or give cuttings from wild or cultivated plants.
- Know what you are growing.
- Never collect plants from the wild.
- Safely dispose of plants and growing media.
NIEA-ID-Guide-Broad-leaved-and-Arrow-Bamboo